THE BROADMOOR HOTEL	View Hotel Website

The Broadmoor Story

Born in 1891 as a gambling casino and transformed into a "grand resort" in 1918, the "Five-Star, Five-Diamond" Broadmoor continues to shine brightly as one of the world's premier resorts.
James Pourtales, a Prussian count who had settled in Colorado Springs in 1884, formed The Broadmoor Land and Investment Company and in 1890 purchased 2,400 acres for development. On July 1, 1891, he opened The Broadmoor Casino, and a few years later a small hotel was constructed.

In 1897, the Winfield Scott Stratton Estate purchased the casino and hotel. They were leased and first used for many local events and later were converted into a boarding house and day school for girls.
On May 9, 1916, Spencer Penrose, an entrepreneur from Philadelphia, and his wife Julie, purchased the 40-acre site of The Broadmoor Casino and Hotel and an adjoining 400 acres. With an objective of creating the most beautiful resort in the world, Penrose and his design team imported artisans who crafted elaborate interior and exterior details fashioned after the opulence and elegance that the Penrose’s had experienced in Europe and the Orient. On June 29, 1918, The Broadmoor officially opened with four wings and a striking pink stucco facade. Master golf-course architect Donald Ross designed an 18-hole golf course.

Penrose charged his employees to provide a level of service and overall excellence previously unattainable in the United States. Louis Stratta of Italy was hired as the executive chef to create the finest cuisine "to be had at any hotel." Comprehensive training was provided for all employees to enable meticulous service and employee loyalty. Longevity of service in the resort's 80+ years attests to the "quality of life" for employees as well as guests.